Replica of the Unrestored Mithras Tauroctonos Statue from Ostia Antica

This replica is modeled after the impressive original Greek marble sculpture discovered in situ at the Mithraeum of Ostia Antica. Standing 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall, the statue depicts Mithras in a striking and unusual heroic pose. Unlike typical representations, he does not wear the classic Eastern attributes; instead, the young god is dressed in a short Greco-Roman tunic that leaves half of his torso exposed and is barefoot. Mithras grips the bull beneath its muzzle with his left hand while raising his right hand, holding a dagger poised to strike. He presses the animal down with his knees, and a snake coils at the base. Notably absent are the scorpion and dog, which commonly appear in other depictions. On the bull’s chest is a Greek inscription naming the sculptor: Kriton the Athenian made this work. This likely refers to Marcus Umbilius Kriton, an artist active during the first half of the second century CE. His signature is also associated with another Roman Mithraeum finds, such as the Mitreo della Planta Pedis. The original statue shows signs of ancient damage and was restored with gray marble. Missing are parts of the dagger and the bull’s limbs, while the head and arms were repaired during Roman times. The sculpture rested on a diagonal masonry base (about 0.30 meters high) beneath one of the vaulted skylights designed to dramatically illuminate the god’s head during ceremonies. The Mithraeum itself was likely constructed in the first half of the third century CE. For centuries, fragments of the statue, including the bull’s head and parts of Mithras, were found in a drainage channel inside the Mithraeum. These were discarded by Christians who later built a structure over the sanctuary. The torso was part of the Giustiniani collection and was returned to Italy in 1999 after investigations revealed its illicit origins. This replica of the statue is remarkable and unique because Mithras is portrayed more like a Greco-Roman hero than in the traditional Eastern garb. He wears no Phrygian cap and is not accompanied by the typical animals or figures commonly seen in Mithraic groups. His ecstatic expression and raised arm reveal a distinctive, personal interpretation of the bull-slaying legend that sets this work apart from other known representations. This replica aims to faithfully capture both the original composition and the sanctuary’s unique atmosphere, emphasizing the central figure of Mithras and his symbolic battle against darkness.